Jin Shangyu, a 26-year-old urban planning graduate from the University of Hong Kong, has applied to 150 jobs without success as A.I. transforms her industry. Job boards now prioritize A.I. expertise while traditional roles dwindle, with design tasks once requiring teams now executable in clicks. She invested $400 in an A.I. course to compete, but sees little hope: 'If seasoned workers are being undercut by A.I., what chance was there for new graduates?'

China's 12.7 million new graduates face dual challenges: an oversaturated market and A.I. disruption. Urban youth unemployment hit 17.9% this July, the highest among demographics. While A.I. adoption accelerates under government support, the job market hasn't expanded to absorb graduates.

Experts note A.I. hits manufacturing and food delivery hardest, with white-collar impacts growing. Beijing fears youth unemployment's political implications, banning layoffs justified by A.I. cost savings and launching employment programs. Party officials propose vocational training to help workers adapt to an A.I.-centric economy.